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Shaikh Al-Sudais, Imam of Al-Haram Mosque in Makkah Calls on Muslims to
Work Towards Lifting Israeli Siege of Gaza, and Liberation of Al-Aqsa
Mosque

Sudais: Lift the siege on Gaza

[ 13/11/2010 - 07:59 AM ]

MAKKAH, (PIC)--

Top Saudi religious scholar Shaikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, Imam of
Al-Haram Mosque in Makkah, addressing Muslim pilgrims before Friday
prayers, called on Muslims to work to create a solution for the
Palestinian cause and liberate Al-Aqsa Mosque.

The Sheikh demanded an end to the Israeli siege against the Gaza
Strip, calling on the Palestinians to unite and put aside their
differences.

More than two million pilgrims gathered in the holy mosque to attend
the sermon and prayer, amid a flood of oncoming seasonal visitors to the
holy lands.

Friday sermon stirs millions in Makkah

By SIRAJ WAHAB | ARAB NEWS

Published: Nov 13, 2010 00:17 Updated: Nov 13, 2010 00:17

MAKKAH:

About two million pilgrims listened with rapt attention to Imam Abdul
Rahman Al-Sudais’ soul-stirring 40-minute sermon on Friday from the
Grand Mosque in Makkah. The sermon was carried live on state television
and many Arab, African and Asian television stations. On many occasions
during the sermon the congregation was reduced to tears as the imam
spoke about the tough times that Islam faces in these critical times.

Calling for the liberation of Palestine, Al-Sudais said now is the
time for Palestinian factions to bury their differences.

“These differences have only added to the miseries of our brothers
and sisters in Palestine. This inhuman blockade has made life hellish
for them. Now is the time for Muslim countries to unify their ranks and
liberate Palestinians from the shackles of this inhuman bondage,” he
said. “All differences among regional countries should be and can be
resolved in the true spirit of Islam. The best example of our unity is
this congregation in which every Muslim from every corner is united
through the love of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the
Holy Qur’an.”

Al-Sudais described Palestine as the single biggest problem
confronting the nation of Islam.

“Every day brings a new form of misery for them,” he said, breaking
down in tears. “O Allah, unite all Muslim nations.”

The congregation responded with a vociferous “Aameen.”

The imam repeatedly stressed the value of unity. “Our divisions have
given our adversaries the ruse to exploit us. We are fragmented despite
being in such a large number. Unity is the key to our well-being. The
message of Haj is unity. Let us pray for the unification of Muslims
throughout the planet.”

The imam also stressed the need for hope and optimism with trust in
Allah at all times of adversity. He quoted the Holy Qur’an: “And never
give up hope in God’s soothing mercy: Truly no one despairs of God’s
soothing mercy except those who have no faith.”

Al-Sudais congratulated the pilgrims for undertaking the most
important journey of their lives. “This was your lifelong dream. You
always wanted to be here. You always wanted to carry out this important
task of Haj. Well, here you are in the holy land. You are lucky. It is
all due to the blessings of Allah the Almighty. I congratulate you. From
here you should take the most important message of Islam and that is
tawheed (the oneness of Allah).”

Referring to Iraq, he said the cycle of unending wars has destroyed
that nation. “Again, it is the lack of unity and petty issues that have
been responsible for the tragedy in Iraq,” he said.

Al-Sudais thanked the Saudi leadership, led by Custodian of the Two
Holy Mosques King Abdullah, for landmark projects to provide ease and
comfort to the pilgrims during the various rituals of Haj.

“The train services for pilgrims that go into operation this year are
a remarkable achievement. May Allah protect this leadership, and may He
grant them long life,” he said.

The Makkah Metro is ready to service pilgrims during this Haj. Saudi
Arabia has poured billions of riyals into various infrastructure
projects in Makkah, Mina and Arafat. The cost of such projects has never
been passed onto the pilgrims.

Al-Sudais also paid rich tribute to all those Saudis who have
dedicated themselves into the service of pilgrims. “You deserve
congratulations for helping the guests of God. Allah has bestowed this
rare honor on you to help the pilgrims, and you have not let the
pilgrims down. May Allah keep you safe.”

“I've never experienced such calmness,” retired Nigerian military
officer Salisu Ali said of Al-Sudais’ sermon. “I don’t speak Arabic nor
do I understand it, but the verses that he was quoting from the Qur’an
are all too familiar to us. And I could understand in what context he
was quoting them. I couldn’t control my tears because everyone was
crying. The sheikh moved us all.”

An aged Pakistani woman, Begum Jahanara Sarwat, said she never felt
such peace.

“We keep hearing all these bad stories and depressing events," she
said. "However, today I did not feel weak at all. Why should I? We are
this many people,” she added as she gestured to the throng of faithful.
“Is it possible for our enemies to destroy us? These are momentary
setbacks, my son. Don’t lose hope. Allah se acche ki ummeed rakho
(Expect good from Allah)."

Every corner of the Grand Mosque was filled by pilgrims as early as
10 a.m. even though the time for Friday prayer was scheduled for 12:05
p.m. The relatively hot weather did not deter the pilgrims from
performing the prayer on roads and in alleyways surrounding the mosque.

The congregation thinned an hour after the prayer, and outside the
mosque pigeons fluttered past the minarets and swooped down on any
vacant space available in the mosque’s massive courtyard.

Spirituality combined with anxiety was evident on many pilgrims’
faces. With just 24 hours remaining before pilgrims begin the trek to
the valley of Mina in the first leg of the five-day journey, the
pilgrims’ minds are clearly focused on the rituals that they will
perform in fulfillment of their obligations.

“We are a little anxious. Being in Makkah is an overwhelming
experience," said Syed Abbas, an elderly Indian man making his first
pilgrimage. "There are so many people here. We come from a small town.
Even performing circumambulation or tawaf is a big task."

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